Stay alert while working around heavy equipment

Safety Alert Type:

Worksites

Location:

Lower Mainland region of British Columbia

Date of Incident / Close Call:

2012-02-01

Company Name:

McElhanney Consulting Services Ltd.

Details of Incident / Close Call:

As an excavator was moving down an embankment it toppled over. Fortunately there were no injuries but workers could well have been in the ‘topple zone’ resulting in a fatality, severe personal injury or additional equipment damage.

Learnings and Suggestions:

• Always be aware of the hazards of working around heavy equipment. Ensure workers do not become complacent on active worksites, especially if they’ve been working on a number of sites without witnessing any incidents or accidents.

• On site, be aware of your surroundings, stay well clear of heavy equipment that is actively in use and always make eye contact with the operator.